Seal protection arrangement and system

ABSTRACT

A slurry outlet system including a top sub, a closure sleeve movable relative to the top sub between a closed position and an open position, a seal mounted on one or the other of the top sub or the closure sleeve, a protector sleeve disposed to cover the seal until displaced by one or the other of the top sub or the closure sleeve that does not include the seal during movement to the closed position. A method for pressure sealingly closing a slurry outlet system including bringing a closure sleeve into proximity with a top sub of the slurry outlet system, displacing a protector sleeve, with the closure sleeve, off a seal disposed about the closure sleeve and simultaneously making sealing contact between the top sub and the seal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of an earlier filing date from U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/057,591 filed Jul. 28, 2020, theentire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

In the resource recovery industry, frac and gravel packs are awell-known means to protect a subsurface formation from collapse and tofilter out unwanted particulates from a production borehole. So too arethe apparatus for depositing sand or gravel that will make up the gravelpack. Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art system 10, which happens to beconfigured as a gravel pack system but could be configured as afrac/frac pack system, or a cement system is illustrated that is and hasbeen commercially available from Baker Hughes. The portion of FIG. 1,other than the crossover tool depicted therein, is a slurry extensionavailable under product number H484220008 (available from Baker Hughes).One of ordinary skill in the art is well familiar with the system.

Broadly, still referring to FIG. 1, a crossover tool 10 is used todeposit gravel in an annular space and then a closure sleeve 12 is movedto a closed position in a seal bore 14 of a top sub 16 around thecrossover tool 10. Due to particulates deposited in the immediatevicinity 18 of the crossover tool and seal bore 14, seals 20 on theclosure sleeve 12 can sometimes be damaged such that differentialpressure may not be completely manageable thereacross. This can becommercially undesirable in some situations. Therefore, the art would bebenefited by a system that can accomplish the task of creating a gravelpack without damaging seals of the closure sleeve such that differentialpressure can be maintained.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of slurry outlet system including a top sub, a closuresleeve movable relative to the top sub between a closed position and anopen position, a seal mounted on one or the other of the top sub or theclosure sleeve, a protector sleeve disposed to cover the seal untildisplaced by one or the other of the top sub or the closure sleeve thatdoes not include the seal during movement to the closed position.

An embodiment of a method for pressure sealingly closing a slurry outletsystem including bringing a closure sleeve into proximity with a top subof the slurry outlet system, displacing a protector sleeve, with theclosure sleeve, off a seal disposed about the closure sleeve andsimultaneously making sealing contact between the top sub and the seal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way.With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numberedalike:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a prior art slurry outlet system;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a slurry outletsystem as disclosed herein;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 taken at thecircumscribed area in FIG. 2 and in an open position of the system;

FIG. 3a is the illustration of FIG. 3 with a biasing arrangement added;

FIG. 4 is the same view as FIG. 3 but in the closed position of thesystem;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an engagement arrangement forcomponents of the system disclosed herein;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a slurryoutlet system described herein;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a slurryoutlet system described herein;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a slurryoutlet system described herein; and

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a slurryoutlet system described herein in an open position;

FIG. 10 is FIG. 9 in a closed position; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a wellbore wherein the a slurry outletsystem as described herein is disposed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosedapparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification andnot limitation with reference to the Figures.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, a slurry outlet with seal protection system 30is illustrated. The system 30, which may be a gravel pack systemfrac/frac pack system, or a cement system (it will be appreciated that acrossover tool is illustrated disposed in the system but the crossovertool may be easily swapped for a frac/frac pack service tool or acementing service tool as is familiar to one of ordinary skill in thisart) may include many similar components to that of the prior art system10 but with several significant departures. Specifically, a top sub 32(“top sub” being broadly meant as one of more actual components of thesystem functioning as a seal bore, a seal housing, a seal assemblyhousing, etc. which can be one piece or a number of pieces securedtogether) of system 30 carries a number of seal(s) 34 at an insidediameter surface 36 thereof and, in some variations, a number ofwiper(s) 38 as well. The wiper 38 may be helpful in that if a smallamount of debris clings to the outer surface of a closure sleeve, thewiper 38 will wipe that off prior to the closure sleeve interacting withthe seals 34, thereby ensuring that the seals are not contaminated withand/or damaged by any particulate matter that could compromise sealintegrity. It is to be appreciated that all known types of seals couldbe employed such as O-ring seals, bonded seals, a seal stack ornon-elastomeric seals (including metal seals), etc., the representationsin the Figures being general to each of these. It is further to beunderstood that more than one of the above mentioned seals may be usedtogether in some embodiments.

Further, a movable protector sleeve 40 is initially disposed to coverand protect the seals 34 and wiper 38 from damage including due tocontamination by particulate materials that might otherwise damage theseals 34 upon moving the system 30 to the closed position. The sealsremain protected by the protector sleeve 40 both during slurry flow andduring shifting of a closure sleeve 50. As illustrated in FIG. 3, theprotector sleeve 40 is disposed radially inwardly of the top sub 32 andwith an outside surface 42 of the protector sleeve 40 in contact withthe seals 34 and wiper 38. In one embodiment, the protector sleeve 40 isa part of a seal protection subsystem 44 that further includes aprotector sleeve pocket 46. The pocket 46 is a segregated volume thatwill not admit particulate matter from the slurry outlet or otherexpected wellbore particulate or debris. The pocket 46 is maintained inthis condition by a tight fit between a pocket barrier 47 and theprotector sleeve 40. The term “tight fit” as used herein means that thegap presented between two components is smaller than the average size ofthe proppant used in a gravel slurry or particulate used in a cementslurry. Ensuring a gap has a size smaller than the particulate meansthat no particulates can penetrate the area. No particles penetratingthe area means that there will be no impediment to the protector sleeve40 when it is time to remove the protector sleeve 40 from the seals 34.The seal protection subsystem 44 further includes a release member 48such as, for example, a shear screw or detent. The release member 48prevents movement of the protector sleeve until a threshold selectedforce is placed on the protector sleeve 40. The seal protectionsubsystem 44 may be configured as a telescopic unit as illustrated, insome variations. The pocket 46 is receptive to the protector sleeve 40when that sleeve 40 is urged into the pocket by the closure sleeve 50(refer to FIGS. 2 and 4). While urging the protector sleeve 40 directlywith the closure sleeve 50 is efficient and effective, it is alsocontemplated that the protector sleeve 40 may be shifted by anothercomponent either once contact between closure sleeve 50 and protectorsleeve 40 is made or once the closure sleeve 50 is sufficiently close tothe protector sleeve 40. “Sufficiently close” in this context means thatthe gap presented between two components is smaller than the averagesize of the proppant used in a gravel slurry or particulate used in acement slurry. Ensuring a gap has a size smaller than the particulatemeans that no particulates can penetrate the area.

In variations, a biasing arrangement 49 may be provided in the pocket 46(see FIG. 3a ) to ensure that if the closure sleeve 50 reversesdirection for any reason, the protector sleeve 40 will responsivelyre-cover the seals 34 and wiper 38. The biasing arrangement may be aspring, such as a coil spring, a gas chamber, an elastomeric member,etc. Alternatively to the biasing arrangement, or in addition thereto,the protector sleeve 40 may include an engagement feature 54 thatlatches with a catch 56 on the closure sleeve 50 to ensure the protectorsleeve 40 will follow the closure sleeve 50 (see FIG. 5).

Notably, the closure sleeve 50 includes only a seal-less uninterruptedouter surface 52 on an end thereof that is to interact with the top sub32 and the protector sleeve 40. The lack of seals in this area reducesthe ability of the closure sleeve 50 to carry particulates with itduring its transition from the open position of the system 30 to theclosed position of the system 30.

Considering the positions illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 simultaneously,which show the same portion of the system 30 in the open and closedpositions respectively, it is evident that the sleeve 50 displaces thesleeve 40 through contact therewith and hence there is no opening forparticulate matter to contaminate the seals 34.

In the prior art system 10, since seals are present on the closuresleeve 12, the trapping of particulates thereat and the direct damage tothe seals during stroking of the sleeve 12 was a distinct possibility.With the particular combination of features disclosed herein however,the direct damage to the seals and the trapping of particulate materialthat may possibly contaminate or cause damage to the seals has beensubstantially reduced or eliminated.

In another embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, it will be recognized thattop sub 32 is unchanged from embodiments above but that the sealprotector subsystem (44 above) has been substituted by a differentprotector sleeve 140. In this embodiment, the protector sleeve 140extends a longer distance and bridges a volume that becomes a pocket 146where particulate matter is excluded. The embodiment includes an upset147 that provides a stop in both the uphole and downhole directions ofmovement of the protector sleeve 140. A release member 148 is stillemployed for the protector sleeve 140, in an alternate location to theforegoing embodiment, and retains the function of securing the protectorsleeve 140 until a threshold selected force is applied thereto torelease the release member 148. In other respects, the embodiment issimilar to the foregoing embodiments.

In yet another embodiment, referring to FIG. 7, a protector sleeve 240includes a ramped section 250 that is configured to displaceparticulate. This is due to the potential for particulate to collect ina space 252 where the protector sleeve 240 will move when the seals 34are uncovered. It will be appreciated in this embodiment that theparticulate free pocket of the foregoing embodiments is not present.Rather the space where the pocket would be in this embodiment, space252, a is actually open to particulate incursion. Because of thepotential for particulate incursion, there is a possibility that theprotector sleeve 240 may encounter particulates that hinder its movementtoward the left of FIG. 7 during actuation. The ramped section 250 willhelp to displace aggregated particulates radially inwardly and thereforeout of the way of the protector sleeve 240. In other respects, theembodiment is similar to the foregoing embodiments.

In yet another embodiment, referring to FIG. 8, it will be appreciatedthat the protector sleeve 240 is the same as in FIG. 7. The addition inthis embodiment is an anchor sleeve 260. The anchor sleeve allows foreasy testing for movement of the protector sleeve 240 during manufactureand then later securing of the protector sleeve 240 by insertion of theanchor sleeve 260 and a release member 262. The release member 262 isreleaseable upon impetus as described above and the protector sleeve 240will move leftwardly in FIG. 8 while displacing any aggregatedparticulate with the ramped section 250 as discussed above. In otherrespects, the embodiment is similar to the foregoing embodiments.

The system 30 operates very similarly to the system 10 of the prior artwith the departures being discussed above. Accordingly, since thedepartures of system 30 from system 10 have been described andillustrated, further disclosure is not necessary for one of ordinaryskill in the art to make and use what is taught herein.

In another embodiment, a slurry outlet system 400, referring to FIGS. 9and 10, is illustrated. The system 400 includes a top sub 402 that is aseal bore. Specifically, this top sub differs from those of theforegoing embodiments as it does not house the seals that the abovedisclosed embodiments do. In this embodiment, a seal 404 (same as abovein number and character and further may include a wiper 405) is disposedinstead on closure sleeve 406. In keeping with the foregoingembodiments, a protector sleeve 408 is disposed to protect the seal 404and hence is located in this embodiment upon the closure sleeve 406immediately radially outwardly of the seal 404. Protector sleeve 408then translates with the closure sleeve 406 to protect the seal 404throughout the movement of the closure sleeve when moving from the openposition to the closed position. Upon reaching proximity to the closedposition, which is illustrated in FIG. 10, the protector sleeve 408 isshouldered against the top sub 402 which prevents further movement ofprotector sleeve 408 and allows closure sleeve 406 and specifically theseal 404 to slide telescopically through the protector sleeve 408 intosealing contact with the top sub 402. The seal 404 is protected fromdebris similarly to the foregoing embodients with the same benefits fromachieving that condition. Also similar to foregoing embodiments, theprotector sleeve 408 may be biased by a biasing arrangement 410 such asa spring to automatically close if the closure sleeve 406 reversesdirection. In variations, the protector sleeve may also include arelease arrangement 412 such as a shear screw.

Further disclosed herein is a wellbore system 500 as schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 11. The wellbore system 500 includes a borehole 360disposed in a subsurface formation 362. A gravel pack system, frac/fracpack system, or a cement system 30 or 400 is a part of a string 364 anddisposed in the borehole 360.

Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:

Embodiment 1: A slurry outlet system including a top sub, a closuresleeve movable relative to the top sub between a closed position and anopen position, a seal mounted on one or the other of the top sub or theclosure sleeve, a protector sleeve disposed to cover the seal untildisplaced by one or the other of the top sub or the closure sleeve thatdoes not include the seal during movement to the closed position.

Embodiment 2: The system as in any prior embodiment, wherein the seal ismounted upon the closure sleeve.

Embodiment 3: The system as in any prior embodiment, wherein theprotector sleeve is disposed radially outwardly of the seal.

Embodiment 4: The system as in any prior embodiment, wherein the closuresleeve includes a plurality of seals.

Embodiment 5: The system as in any prior embodiment, further including awiper.

Embodiment 6: The system as in any prior embodiment, wherein the top subcontacts the protector sleeve.

Embodiment 7: The system as in any prior embodiment, further including acrossover tool disposed radially inwardly of the top sub in a gravelpacking, fracing or frac packing position of the system and removedtherefrom after completion of a gravel packing, fracing or frac packingoperation.

Embodiment 8: The system as in any prior embodiment, further including acementing tool disposed radially inwardly of the top sub in a cementingposition of the system and removed therefrom after completion of acementing operation.

Embodiment 9: The system as in any prior embodiment, wherein the seal isone or more of an o-ring, a bonded seal, metal seal, a seal stack ornon-elastomeric seals.

Embodiment 10: The system as in any prior embodiment, wherein the topsub includes a seal bore for interacting with the seal on the closuresleeve, that is a seal less uninterrupted surface.

Embodiment 11: The system as in any prior embodiment, further comprisinga biasing arrangement disposed to bias the protector sleeve.

Embodiment 12: The system as in any prior embodiment, further comprisinga release member attached to the protector sleeve.

Embodiment 13: The system as in any prior embodiment, wherein therelease member is a shear screw.

Embodiment 14: A method for pressure sealingly closing a slurry outletsystem including bringing a closure sleeve into proximity with a top subof the slurry outlet system, displacing a protector sleeve, with theclosure sleeve, off a seal disposed about the closure sleeve andsimultaneously making sealing contact between the top sub and the seal.

Embodiment 15: The method as in any prior embodiment, further includingwiping the top sub prior to making sealing contact with the seal.

Embodiment 16: The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the urgingof the protector sleeve includes causing the release of a releasemember.

Embodiment 17: A wellbore system including a borehole in a subsurfaceformation, a string including a slurry outlet system as in any priorembodiment.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,”and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance,but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Themodifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of thestated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., itincludes the degree of error associated with measurement of theparticular quantity).

The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of welloperations. These operations may involve using one or more treatmentagents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, awellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing.The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids,semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agentsinclude, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water,brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drillingmuds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc.Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulicfracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steaminjection, water flooding, cementing, etc.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substitutedfor elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention.In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particularsituation or material to the teachings of the invention withoutdeparting from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intendedthat the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosedas the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but thatthe invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope ofthe claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have beendisclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specificterms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in ageneric and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation,the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.

What is claimed is:
 1. A slurry outlet system comprising: a top sub; aclosure sleeve movable relative to the top sub between a closed positionand an open position; a seal mounted on one or the other of the top subor the closure sleeve; a protector sleeve disposed to cover the sealuntil displaced by one or the other of the top sub or the closure sleevethat does not include the seal during movement to the closed position.2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seal is mounted upon theclosure sleeve.
 3. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein theprotector sleeve is disposed radially outwardly of the seal.
 4. Thesystem as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closure sleeve includes aplurality of seals.
 5. The system as claimed in claim 1 furtherincluding a wiper.
 6. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the topsub contacts the protector sleeve.
 7. The system as claimed in claim 1further including a crossover tool disposed radially inwardly of the topsub in a gravel packing, fracing or frac packing position of the systemand removed therefrom after completion of a gravel packing, fracing orfrac packing operation.
 8. The system as claimed in claim 1 furtherincluding a cementing tool disposed radially inwardly of the top sub ina cementing position of the system and removed therefrom aftercompletion of a cementing operation.
 9. The system as claimed in claim 1wherein the seal is one or more of an o-ring, a bonded seal, metal seal,a seal stack or non-elastomeric seals.
 10. The system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the top sub includes a seal bore for interacting withthe seal on the closure sleeve, that is a seal less uninterruptedsurface.
 11. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising abiasing arrangement disposed to bias the protector sleeve.
 12. Thesystem as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a release memberattached to the protector sleeve.
 13. The system as claimed in claim 12wherein the release member is a shear screw.
 14. A method for pressuresealingly closing a slurry outlet system comprising: bringing a closuresleeve into proximity with a top sub of the slurry outlet system;displacing a protector sleeve, with the closure sleeve, off a sealdisposed about the closure sleeve and simultaneously making sealingcontact between the top sub and the seal.
 15. The method as claimed inclaim 14 further including wiping the top sub prior to making sealingcontact with the seal.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein theurging of the protector sleeve includes causing the release of a releasemember.
 17. A wellbore system comprising: a borehole in a subsurfaceformation; a string including a slurry outlet system as claimed in claim1.